St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1887-08-18


soon forgot the impression entirely.
There was to be a convention of
medical men in the city thirty miles
distant on the third of July. Excur-
sion tickets were placed within the
means of all wishing to avail them
selves of an opportunity to profit by
the occasion. Eminent physicians
from all parts of the state would meet
to compare facts and experiences well
worth the hearing of those interested
in medical lore or surgical skill.
DIR. Benner was to leave home on
Wednesday morning, the third, ex-
pecting with many others to return on
the afternoon of the Fourth of July /;
and the next day, the fifth, the Doctor
had been planning for a long time to
take Black Harry to a cattle show and
horse fair, and place the beautiful ami
NAL on exhibition for the day.
This time the Doctor left no extra
tasks for Joe, remarking that as he
was to have a holiday trip himself,
Joe might pass the time as he thought
best, provided nothing unforeseen
should occur to demand his attention.
Straightway the merry boys fell to
planning a grand picnic to take place
on the Fourth. Fire crackers and
punk had been purchased in abun-
dance at the village store. Mrs. Mer-
riam, DR.. Benner's housekeeper, was
to make biscuit, chocolate cake, FROST
ed cake and dOughnuts, the other boys
providing sandwiches, boiled eggs,
lemons and sugar. And Joe and his
friends went to bed in good season on
Wednesday night in anticipation of
the next days sport.
Thursday was bright and beautiful.
Joe felt in no haste as the party was
not to start very early. He ate his
breakfast leisurely, then packed his
basket, and having babe Mrs. Merri-
am a joyous "good-by," started out to
meet the other boys. He sped over
the lawn in front of the house, and
was darting across the pasture when
a loud whinny close by caused him to
stop a moment. Black Harry came
slowly up, then mutely held up one
hoof from which the shoe was hanging
nearly off.
"Oh, dearv exclaimed Joe impa-
tiently, "what made you show that to
me now, Harryq can't help you, old
boy, indeed L can't can't!" he re-
peated despairingly as the exact stu
alton forced itself upon him with vex-
ing rapidity.
John, the Doctors man, had already
availed himself of DR.. Benner's per-
mission to make a little visit on his
own account, expecting to meet his
master at the depot in the afternoon.
The only other man, farm hand, was
not to be trusted with the rOmping
Harry, and Joe knew only too well it
would be a great disappointment to
his father should anything prevent his
taking the horse to the fair early the
next morning.
What could be done
The blacksmith was two miles away,
and a horse could almost never be
shOd short of an hour, and Oftener not
for two or three hours after reaching
the smithy's, unless taken early in the
morning, "and it'll be just the same
Fourth o. July or no Fourth o. July !"
said poor Joe desperately.
What could be done!
To give up the picnic and his Fourth
of July-his Independence day frolic-
just for Black Harry's shoe seemed too
hard to contemplate for a moment;
and just then "whOop-a ALA" burst on
the lads ear and there was Ben Low
and the rest of the party, baskets In
hand, all ready for start.
Instantly there flashed through Joe's
mind a recollection of the decided
words his father had spoken only a
few days before, about relying on him
to do anything he thought ought to be
done whether the task was given him
or not; the sight of Ben Low had
seemed somehow to revive the CONVEX
satiOn, and on the instant he also re-
his fathers permission to
pass his time as he thought best, pro-
vided nothing unforeseen should occur
to demand his attention.
And although his father had allowed
that reward might possibly attend the
faithful performance of duty, Joe was
too much accustomed to Obeying from
principle to do so from any other mo-
tive. There was a sharp, brief con-
flict; then Joe turned resOlutely to-
wards his friends:
II can't go, boys"
"Why9 Why7 Why, Why, should
like to knOw7 2" cried one of his COM
panions.
"Do not my ears deceive my eye
sight!" exclaimed another tragically.
"He's mad! Great Hecules, yes
His senses do now forsake him !" cried
D third striking STACEY attitude.
But the facts were briefly explained,
md the Disguised boys finally con-
vinced that Joe was in earnest.
Ben Low turned petulantly away |
With familiar question "Well, [ say |
Did Scruples, what's the use S'pose
TIL ever pay, being so awfully con-
ientious ?n
"Time'll TELL" said Joe cheerily, and
to whistle to keep up heart
Is they all turned away.
Joe remembered that his father had
'aid he wished whoever went next to
he blacksmith's would take the hatch
It and have an edge put to it. He
ook it from the toOl-chest, then un-
packed his basket, making smaller
parcel containing a good lunch, and
having been duly pitted and petted by
Mrs. Merriam, and telling
Ter he might not return for several
lOurs, he soon started off, riding Black
Harry carefully, that the graceful crea-
ure might not grow lame from trav-
ling too rapidly without shoe.
Now and then he thought with a
winge of regret of his lost holiday
port, but after long, hot ride over
he country roads and through quite a
tretch of woods, he at last reached
he blacksmith's where it seemed as if
very fine horse for miles around was
his turn to be shOd.
The day would have been trying
ne but for the fact that Joe, being an
nteprising, intelligent lad, fond of ,
eeing what was going on and learning
omething new if possible, became in
crested in watching the men at their :
FORK. He liked to see the fiery sparks
y from the forge liked to see the